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PRINTER'S NO. 1249
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
90
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY KINKEAD, PASHINSKI, GUENST, DELLOSO, SAMUELSON,
SANCHEZ, PARKER, FREEMAN, SCHLOSSBERG, DRISCOLL, MADDEN AND
NEILSON, APRIL 15, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
APRIL 15, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on the shelf life of food in this Commonwealth with an
emphasis on locally grown produce and other agricultural food
items.
WHEREAS, Nearly 40 million tons of food are thrown away every
year in the United States, which is approximately between 30%
and 40% of the American food supply; and
WHEREAS, On average, each resident of the United States
accounts for 219 pounds of food waste, which mostly ends up in
landfills; and
WHEREAS, Food waste is the largest component of landfills,
making up approximately 22% of municipal solid waste; and
WHEREAS, In this Commonwealth, food is the most common
material thrown out, accounting for 12.2% of all waste; and
WHEREAS, The economic loss of food waste equates to
approximately $161 billion annually in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Fresh fruits and vegetables make up nearly 20% of
food waste, milk accounts for 18% of food waste and grain
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products account for 15% of food waste in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Food waste is an enormous drain on our natural
resources because 80% of our fresh water, 10% of our available
energy and 50% of our land is used to produce food in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 22% percent of the total production of
fruits is lost due to spoilage after harvest in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, Food waste has a negative impact on the health and
safety of residents of this Commonwealth and our overall
economy; and
WHEREAS, One of the most important ways to prevent food waste
is to implement measures to make sure that food lasts longer in
restaurants, cupboards and refrigerators and on grocery store
shelves and countertops; and
WHEREAS, There are many ways to help extend the shelf life of
produce, including chemical and physical treatments, as well as
special packaging that prevents spoilage and prolongs freshness
of produce; and
WHEREAS, Prolonging the shelf life of food will reduce waste
and increase profit margins for farmers and grocery stores in
this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, prolonging the shelf life of food will cut
down on greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing the number of
food shipments and allowing for more efficient farming
practices; and
WHEREAS, Longer shelf life for produce and other agricultural
food items means more stability for farmers in this
Commonwealth; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
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State Government Commission to conduct a study on the shelf life
of food in this Commonwealth with an emphasis on locally grown
produce and other agricultural food items; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report of its findings to the House of Representatives no later
than one year after the adoption of this resolution; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the report contain recommendations for
improving the shelf life of food in the Commonwealth with an
emphasis on locally grown produce and other agricultural food
items.
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